Top 10 Things to Do in Australia

In a world defined by instant gratification, Australia offers the antidote: Deep Time. Visiting sacred sites like Uluru or the Daintree provides a recalibration of your place in history. Why travel halfway across the world? To stand in the presence of the world's oldest continuous living culture. This is not folklore; it is a living map of humanity. The luxury here is not the thread count of your sheets, but the privilege of being welcomed by an elder whose lineage on that soil stretches back 60,000 years. Our specialists arrange these sensitive, personal encounters far from the standard tourist routes, providing direct access to the keepers of this ancient wisdom.

What to Expect

• Welcome to Country: Experience the honor of being formally welcomed to the land by an Aboriginal elder, marking the beginning of your respectful cultural journey.
• Living Lineage: Listen to personal histories and interpretations of the landscape from private Aboriginal guides whose connection to the land is immediate and unbroken.
• Dreamtime Stories: Hear the foundational narratives of the Dreamtime, which are not merely stories, but a complete system for understanding the creation of the land, animals, and people.
• Ancient Art: Stand before expansive rock art galleries, learning the meaning behind ochre figures painted thousands of years ago, which serve as historical and ceremonial records.
• Cultural Traditions: Experience the land through the senses: taste "bush tucker" like the tangy green ant, feel the heat from a "bush-tucker" cooking demonstration, or watch a traditional spear-throwing display.
• Spiritual Connection: Feel the exceptional quiet and reverence of a sacred site like Uluru as you watch the crimson light of sunrise strike the rock—a moment of profound spiritual and temporal connection.

Best Places for Aboriginal Culture Tours

• Uluru
• Kakadu National Park
• Daintree National Forest
• Purnululu National Park
• Great Sandy National Park

For more inspiration, see our Most Remote Towns in Australia to Escape the Crowds.

Australia's culinary scene is about experiencing boldness and freedom in the kitchen, not just eating good food and drinking excellent wine. Dining in the country will expose you to the convergence of Southeast Asian techniques, European heritage, and ancient indigenous ingredients. Think the citrusy zing of lemon myrtle or the caviar-like bursts of finger lime, which grow nowhere else. It is the taste of a country celebrating a truly unique culinary identity, with a journey here meaning you will taste ingredients you have probably never encountered, all prepared with world-class sophistication.

What to Expect

• The Indigenous Pantry: Taste the unique, wild flavors of the Australian landscape. Sample expertly prepared kangaroo loin, the nutty crunch of wattle seed, or the surprising tang of native fruits and herbs.
• Refined Invention: Secure priority reservations at the top-tier restaurants in Sydney or Melbourne, renowned for their inventive use of local produce, sustainable seafood, and the seamless integration of global and native influences.
• Outback Feasts: Experience a communal "bush" dinner, smelling the aroma of fresh barramundi baked in paperbark over an open fire under the vast canvas of the stars.
• Cellar Door to Table: Experience Australia's world-class wine regions. Pair a robust Barossa shiraz with local cured meats or a crisp Margaret River white with freshly shucked oysters, guided by the winemakers themselves.
• Market Visits: Stroll through a local farmers' market with a private guide, tasting fresh cheeses and seeing the hyper-local produce used by the city's best chefs.

Best Places for Signature Culinary Experiences

• Margaret River
• Barossa Valley
• Adelaide Hills
• Fleurieu Peninsula
• Victoria
• Sydney

Uncover authentic Australian cuisine on sample Sydney, Australia, vacations.

So much of Australia's wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth. A true safari here is about seeing these animals in their pristine, natural environments. Our expert naturalist guides know precisely where to go and when, ensuring encounters from your luxury lodge in Australia are respectful and genuinely thrilling.

What to Expect

• Koala Spotting: Look high into the eucalyptus canopy to see a koala, smelling the distinct, menthol scent of the leaves.
• Nocturnal Tours: Walk by torchlight with a private guide, listening for the quiet rustle of a reclusive wombat or the scratch of an echidna.
• Wild Habitats: Witness a mob of kangaroos bounding across an open field at dusk, a memorable sight of pure athletic grace.
• Expert Naturalists: Learn from guides who can identify bird calls like that of the laughing kookaburra and explain the unique biology of marsupials.
• Island Sanctuaries: Visit a location like Kangaroo Island, a protected haven for sea lions, koalas, and countless birds.

Best Places for Wildlife Viewing

• Kangaroo Island
• Daintree Rainforest
• Phillip Island
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
• Wilson Promontory
• Fraser Island

For more information on where to see Australia’s animals, take a look at our Australia safari tours.

Beaches are a central part of the Australian identity, ranging from world-famous surf breaks to secluded, placid coves. We can arrange a private surf lesson, find a sheltered beach perfect for family swimming, or simply secure you the best spot on an elegant shore with a prepared gourmet picnic.

What to Expect

• Surf Lessons: Feel the power of the ocean and the thrill of catching a wave during a private lesson at a celebrated break like Bell's Beach.
• Silica Sands: Feel the pure, fine, white silica sand of Whitehaven Beach between your toes, a sand so fine it squeaks when you walk.
• Beachside Cafes: Relax at a laid-back café, sipping a "flat white" as you watch the local surfers at Bondi or Manly.
• Calm Waters: Swim in the clear, protected, turquoise waters of a family-friendly cove.
• Scenic Walks: Take a coastal walk between beaches, smelling the salt in the air and seeing the dramatic sandstone cliffs.

Best Beaches for Sunny Days

• Bondi Beach
• Four Mile Beach
• Manly Beach
• Whitehaven Beach
• Rapid Bay
• Cable Beach
• Bell’s Beach

Let our 12 Best Beaches to Visit in Australia inspire your trip to the Southern Hemisphere country.

The waters off Australia's coast are a universe of their own, anchored by the two largest reef systems on the planet. The Great Barrier Reef and the Ningaloo Reef offer some of the most incredible marine encounters imaginable, from swimming with gentle giants to floating over gardens of intricate coral.

What to Expect

• Coral Gardens: See the sudden, intense blues, greens, and yellows of parrotfish, angelfish, and clownfish darting among the coral.
• Gentle Giants: Experience the awe of swimming alongside the slow-moving, bus-sized whale shark at Ningaloo Reef on a private reef charter.
• Whale Watching: Feel the spray and hear the enormous "thwack" of a humpback whale breaching during its migration.
• Private Charters: Explore the reef from a private boat, allowing a marine biologist guide to take you to the best, least-crowded snorkel spots.
• Turtle Encounters: Float just above a green sea turtle as it gracefully paddles over the reef flat.

Best Spots for Swimming with Marine Life

• Great Barrier Reef
• Ningaloo Reef
• Montague Island
• Eyre Peninsula
• Lord Howe Island

Zicasso’s Great Barrier Reef’s Great Eight has more information on what you can look forward to.

Australia's cities are energetic, diverse, and defined by their access to nature. A private walking tour is the best way to understand their individual personalities, as an expert local guide reveals the history, architecture, and hidden culture you would likely miss on your own.

What to Expect

• Historic Walks: Walk the cobbled lanes of The Rocks in Sydney, learning its gritty colonial and convict history from a local historian.
• Laneway Culture: Follow the aroma of roasting beans into a hidden Melbourne "laneway" for one of the world's best flat whites.
• Botanic Gardens: Stroll through serene, shaded botanic gardens, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city.
• Local Boutiques: Peruse the shops of local designers and artisans in areas like Paddington in Sydney, far from the typical souvenir stores.
• Opera House: Walk the full perimeter of the Sydney Opera House with a private guide, feeling the texture of its famous tiled "sails."

Best Cities for Walking Tours

• Perth
• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Port Douglas
• Darwin
• Hobart

See our 8 Best Cities to Visit in Australia for further inspiration.

The sheer diversity of Australia's national parks is staggering, protecting everything from the soaring cliffs of the Blue Mountains to the rugged, red-rock gorges of Karijini. These parks are not just for sightseeing; they are for active, deep engagement with the land.

What to Expect

• Sheer Gorges: Stand on the edge of a deep, crimson-red gorge in Karijini and feel the immensity of the ancient landscape.
• Mountain Views: Smell the distinct, menthol scent of eucalyptus as you look out over the "blue" haze of the Blue Mountains.
• Forest Hikes: Walk on shaded, well-maintained trails to the base of a pounding waterfall, feeling the cool mist on your face.
• Protected Wildlife: Listen for the howl of a dingo in the distance on Fraser Island or watch saltwater crocodiles sunbathe on a Kakadu riverbank.
• Alpine Air: Breathe the crisp, clean alpine air as you walk by the reflective, still waters of Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.

Best National Parks to Visit

• Kakadu
• Blue Mountains
• Karijini
• Litchfield
• Cradle Mountains
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta

Learn more about these regions by having a look at our 10 Best National Parks in Australia.

Hiking in Australia is a way to connect with the continent's ancient, rugged character. The trails range from half-day coastal walks with constant sea views to epic, multi-day treks through the silent Outback. We can arrange expert guides, comfortable eco-lodges, and all the logistics, allowing you to focus on the journey.

What to Expect

• Coastal Treks: Hike the Great Ocean Walk, smelling the salt spray from the Southern Ocean as it crashes against the sheer cliffs below.
• Epic Journeys: Commit to a multi-day trek like the Larapinta Trail, experiencing the profound silence and starry nights of the Outback.
• Ancient Landscapes: Descend into the "Garden of Eden" in Kings Canyon, a surprising and shaded pocket of cool green ferns.
• Wildlife Sightings: Spot rock wallabies sunning themselves on cliffs or an echidna foraging on the forest floor during your walk.
• Varied Adventures: Opt for a different perspective, such as a guided horseback ride through the high country.

Best Places for Hiking

• Kings Canyon
• Mount Gower
• Margaret River
• Larapinta Trail
• Great Ocean Walk
• Wineglass Bay

Australia’s Best Adventure Destinations has more information to inspire your trip.

Australia's wine regions are internationally celebrated, making a luxury wine tour in Australia an essential experience. This is a journey of taste and relaxation, featuring some of the oldest producing vines on the planet. We can arrange private tastings with winemakers and secure tables at acclaimed winery restaurants.

What to Expect

• Signature Varietals: Taste the peppery, robust flavor of a shiraz on a Barossa Valley wine tasting or a crisp, grassy sauvignon blanc from Margaret River.
• Historic Estates: Visit estates with some of the oldest productive vines in the world, enjoying a quiet, private tasting.
• Gourmet Lunches: Enjoy a long, relaxed gourmet lunch at a winery restaurant, with dishes like roasted lamb or fresh scallops designed to pair with the local vintage.
• Private Tastings: Sit with a winemaker for a private cellar tasting, learning about the process from grape to glass.
• Scenic Drives: Enjoy the view of rolling, vine-covered hills from your private car as you travel between cellar doors.

Best Places for Wine-Tasting Tours

• Hunter Valley
• Margaret River
• Barossa Valley
• Tamar Valley
• Yarra Valley

Study the Best Wine Regions in Australia before contacting our travel specialists to design your trip.

Swimming with the gentle, bus-sized whale sharks is one of the world's most humbling and awe-inspiring natural privileges. Australia's Ningaloo Reef is one of the most reliable and ethical places on Earth to experience this incredible marine encounter. It is also less known and crowded than the Great Barrier Reef. The luxury here is the access provided by private marine charters, which ensure an intimate experience as you float alongside these massive, slow-moving filter feeders in crystal-clear waters.

What to Expect

• Intimate Encounters: Join a small, private boat charter guided by marine biologists who specialize in respectful and close encounters with the whale sharks.
• Awe-Inspiring Size: Experience the sense of awe as you swim next to the world's largest fish. They generally grow between 18 and 33 feet, but can reach up to 40 feet.
• Pristine Reef: Combine your whale shark swim with snorkeling or diving on the Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vibrant, fringing coral located just feet from the shore.
• Seasonal Wonder: Time your visit to coincide with the annual arrival of the whale sharks, which are attracted by the coral spawning cycle. The primary and most reliable time to swim with the animals at the Ningaloo Reef is generally from March through July. Our specialists recommend booking tours in the peak months of April and May for the highest chance of a guaranteed encounter.
• Whale Watching: Depending on the season, your charter may also offer opportunities to spot manta rays, dolphins, or migrating humpback whales.

Best Spots for Whale Shark Swimming

• Ningaloo Reef

Take a look at Australia’s Great 8: Where to Spot Iconic Great Barrier Reef Animals for more information on the country’s marine life.

Yes, but you must be strategic and accept that you cannot see everything.

Two weeks is enough for Australia, but you must be strategic and accept that you won’t see everything. The country is the size of the continental United States, so a two-week trip is a fantastic start, but it requires focus. Our specialists recommend limiting your itinerary to two or three key destinations, such as Sydney, Uluru, and the Great Barrier Reef, and relying heavily on internal commercial flights or private charters to cover the vast distances efficiently. A two-week itinerary focused on either the East Coast or the West Coast is highly feasible, but trying to cover both will feel rushed.

The choice between the coasts depends entirely on your travel style:

• East Coast (Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns): Choose the East Coast for accessibility, iconic landmarks, and a faster pace. It is the social and urban heart of Australia, offering world-class dining, easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree, and a dense network of major cities and tourist infrastructure.
• West Coast (Perth, Ningaloo Reef, Margaret River): Choose the West Coast for raw, untouched nature, unique marine life, and a sense of remote adventure. It offers an easier-going, Mediterranean climate (around Perth), the opportunity to swim with whale sharks at the Ningaloo Reef, and the epic, rugged landscapes of the Kimberley. It is less crowded, but requires more time due to larger distances between destinations.

The safest swimming beaches are generally those that are patrolled by lifeguards. They have calmer waters, often within bays or protected coves.

• Patrolled Beaches: Iconic Sydney beaches like Bondi and Manly are highly patrolled and use the famous red and yellow flag system to designate the safest areas to swim.
• Protected Coves: Beaches like Shelly Beach in Sydney, a protected marine reserve with clear, shallow water, and Noosa Main Beach in Queensland, one of the few north-facing and protected beaches, offer reliably calm conditions.
• Beaches with Gentle Waves: Beaches like Hyams Beach at Jervis Bay, known for the world's whitest sand, and Cottesloe Beach in Perth often feature calmer, clearer water perfect for a relaxed swim.

We always advise swimming only between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches and listening to local safety warnings.

Australia’s sharp contrasts offer something for every traveler, from remote adventures to sophisticated urban explorations. Each of these iconic regions and cities offers a wealth of activities designed to captivate visitors with varied interests.

Whether you're looking for a private dive on the Great Barrier Reef or a guided walk to an ancient Aboriginal art site, our experts are ready to help you plan your trip. Take a look at the possibilities in our sample Australia tours, trips, and packages. For further information on the Southern Hemisphere country, see our Australia travel guide.